Queen Elizabeth gets a day with her Cabinet men
19 Dec 2012 7:25 AM IST
Queen Elizabeth II, celebrating the diamond jubilee of her reign, on Tuesday scripted history when she attended a cabinet meeting in 10 Downing Street, becoming the first British monarch since 1781 to do so. Prime Minister David Cameron greeted the 86-year-old Queen at the door of Number 10, posing for photos before going inside. She met ministers, who presented her with a gift to mark her Diamond Jubilee after 60 years on the throne.
Dressed in a royal blue coat, the Queen sat in the Prime Minister's usual seat - with Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague sat either side. It is believed to be the first time a monarch has attended peace-time cabinet since George III in 1781. George I ceased to chair cabinet in 1717. The Queen's father, King George VI, attended war cabinet during the Second World War, the BBC reported.
However, claims that this was the first time a monarch has attended a cabinet meeting since Queen Victoria were disputed by historian Jane Ridley, who said King George III was the last to have done so. Once inside, the Queen was introduced to each of the government's senior ministers in turn, as they bowed. She shared jokes with Chancellor George Osborne, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
After the Queen and the cabinet had taken their seats, Cameron welcomed her to the meeting.
ANTARCTICA GETS ROYAL TAG
Britain on Tuesday renamed a part of Antarctica, almost twice the size of the UK, after Queen Elizabeth II to honour her for completing 60 years on the throne.
The southern part of the British Antarctic Territory had been named as Queen Elizabeth Land, the Foreign Office said.
The announcement was made by British Foreign Secretary William Hague as the 86-year-old queen visited the Foreign Office here on Tuesday after leaving Downing Street, where she attended a Cabinet meeting. The territory, covering 169,000 sq miles - almost twice the size of the UK - was previously unnamed, BBC reported.
‘This is a fitting tribute at the end of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, and I am very proud to be able to announce it as she visits the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,’ Hague said.
Queen Elizabeth Land will be marked on all British maps in future, the Foreign Office said.
Dressed in a royal blue coat, the Queen sat in the Prime Minister's usual seat - with Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague sat either side. It is believed to be the first time a monarch has attended peace-time cabinet since George III in 1781. George I ceased to chair cabinet in 1717. The Queen's father, King George VI, attended war cabinet during the Second World War, the BBC reported.
However, claims that this was the first time a monarch has attended a cabinet meeting since Queen Victoria were disputed by historian Jane Ridley, who said King George III was the last to have done so. Once inside, the Queen was introduced to each of the government's senior ministers in turn, as they bowed. She shared jokes with Chancellor George Osborne, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
After the Queen and the cabinet had taken their seats, Cameron welcomed her to the meeting.
ANTARCTICA GETS ROYAL TAG
Britain on Tuesday renamed a part of Antarctica, almost twice the size of the UK, after Queen Elizabeth II to honour her for completing 60 years on the throne.
The southern part of the British Antarctic Territory had been named as Queen Elizabeth Land, the Foreign Office said.
The announcement was made by British Foreign Secretary William Hague as the 86-year-old queen visited the Foreign Office here on Tuesday after leaving Downing Street, where she attended a Cabinet meeting. The territory, covering 169,000 sq miles - almost twice the size of the UK - was previously unnamed, BBC reported.
‘This is a fitting tribute at the end of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee year, and I am very proud to be able to announce it as she visits the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,’ Hague said.
Queen Elizabeth Land will be marked on all British maps in future, the Foreign Office said.
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